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2002 Acura Tl

The Verdict

40 Proceed with Caution

The 2002 Acura Tl has 342 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are transmission (218 complaints) and body (47 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 40/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Acura Tl, consider the 2014 model year which has 95% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2014 has 95% fewer complaints

View the 2014 Acura Tl dashboard →

40

Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution

About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 5

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

01V166001 SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." CERTAIN DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTU...

Risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 9, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

15V320000 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2001-2004 Honda Civic GX, 2003-2005 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2...

Risk

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury ...

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-21...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

19V499000 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2003-2006 MDX, 2001-2007 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NGV, 2002...

Risk

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-21...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

19V182000 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 Z...

Risk

An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or ...

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer ser...

Reported Jun 3, 2019

01V161000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEDANS EQUIPPED WITH AN "AUTO-UP" POWER WINDOW FEATURE ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW CONTROL UNIT CAN FAIL, AND DEPENDING ON THE FAILURE MODE, THE WIND...

Risk

THE AUTO-REVERSE SYSTEM FAILURE COULD RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER WINDOW CONTROL UNIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 21, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIV...

Reported Mar 5, 2001

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20004897116105
2001253228103
200247164318218
20035976725239
2004258162081553
200516771601834
20069891131016
200737761127
200850548156
20091322223
201013235410
2011201341
2012333521923
20132802643
201470811

By Category

Transmission
218
Body
47
Electrical
43
Engine
18
Brakes
16

By Severity

1
152
2
159
3
4
4
26
5
1

Worst Problems

Complaints

Electrical 2

The high pressure power steering hose on my car is leaking. Issues with Air bags

9mo ago
Electrical 1

The "SRS" dashboard red light illuminated and stays on. On May 19, 2029 Acura "Replaced Driver S/B." Acura Dealer and Manufacturer are both telling me that my "Inflator" and "Airbag Module" is not covered again since there has been no recall by Acura or NHTSA. Please advise me as to warranty a second time at no cost to me?

12mo ago
Transmission 2

Slipping , shift feels like it’s losing power and jerks and sputter . Check engine lights is on now . Throwing a P0730 code .. transmission fluid level are where is supposed to be and clean

39mo ago
Transmission 2

My car has been automatically shutting off while driving. Bringing my car to a halt, not a full on stop but to the point my wheels lock up. Sort of like im slamming on my brake but I can't press my brake. I lose power steering, the entire car shuts off. Then I have to try and restart it, but it won't turn over. Sometimes its just for a few minutes. Other times Im stranded for hours. A few times its been days. After it dies and i turn the key off and then back on but not over ill have power. I have a kid and we've been stranded on an on ramp with cars going 60 all around us. The car just randomly shut off in the middle of the road. There's a lot of traffic around these parts and we were stuck, not even being able to get out of the vehicle with the cars going on each side of us. Ive done some research and ive seen thousands of other complaints about this issue since 2002. Ive had 3 different mechanics try to figure out what the issue was. Have had my car at the shop for weeks at a time. A few times even the mechanics couldn't get it started, and it had to sit for 3 days before it would start up again. The check engine light is on and all 3 different mechanics have fixed everything thats came up. After this started happening ive had to replace brakes and rotors several times. My car started shifting way to late. And feels like its starting to slip. This is a safety hazzard. Especially in larger cities.

62mo ago
Electrical 2

VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING ON HIGHWAY WITH KIDS IN THE CAR, DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION.

73mo ago
Engine 2

AUTOMATIC/MANUALLY SHIFTS, MANUAL GEARS D4 SHIFT STUCK IN GEAR AND CAUSING ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE PROBLEMS. TRANSMISSION FAILURE OCCURED.

83mo ago
Transmission 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW BUTTON FAILED TO OPERATE. HINSHAW'S ACURA (5955 20TH ST E, FIFE, WA 98424, (253) 922-8830) WAS INFORMED OF THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,672.

84mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA TL. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V499000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED CROWN ACURA (LOCATED AT 18911 US HWY 19 N, CLEARWATER, FL 33764, (888) 642-5567) AND NOTIFIED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

85mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V182000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. GARRY FORCE ACURA (1634 WESTGATE CIR, BRENTWOOD, TN 37027 (615) 377-0500) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT WERE NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. (PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT).

87mo ago
Brakes 4

WE GOT AN APRIL 2019 LETTER FOR AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL WHICH CAME TOO LATE! MY CAR WAS TOTALED IN A ACCIDENT IN WHICH BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. IT DID CAUSE HURTFUL PRESSURE ON MY GRANDSON'S CHEST WITH AN EMERGENCY BILL OVER $500 AND 2 DAYS OF LOSSES WAGES. OK FOR WHICH WE HAD NO COMPENSATION. CAR WAS IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY STREET IN WHICH THE OTHER PARTY WAS TICKETED ON AN ILLEGAL U TURN.

88mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR KEPT ILLUMINATING. FLOW ACURA (425 SILAS CREEK PKWY, WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27127, (336) 723-3524) INITIALLY DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRES WERE MALFUNCTIONING. AFTER A TEST WAS PERFORMED, THE INDICATOR REMAINED OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH. WHEN THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HER TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT WAS STILL COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. ANOTHER ACURA DEALER (CROWN ACURA, 3908 W WENDOVER AVE, GREENSBORO, NC 27407) CHANGED THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE SECOND DEALER HAD TO ORDER ANOTHER PART AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AGAIN, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED SRS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. DEALERSHIP FILE HAS A LOG/ HISTRY OF THE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE PLUS MULTI REPAIRS WORK DONE ON THE SRS LIGHT BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*JB

88mo ago
Electrical 1

TAKATA RECALL

93mo ago
Engine 1

TAKATA RECALL

100mo ago
Transmission 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 ACURA TL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH KEY INTERLOCK FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY ON ITS OWN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED BEFORE OR AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH KEY INTERLOCK FAILED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

102mo ago
Brakes 2

CAR WILL NO LONGER FUNCTION PROPERLY/ POOR DRIVING.

103mo ago
Body 1

VIOLENT SHIFTING - PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM ENGLES AUTO IN SUMNER - SAME DAY DROVE THIS VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY AND AN HOUR INTO THE ROAD TRIP THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SUDDENLY APPLY THE BRAKES. FOLLOWING THIS IT BEGAN SHIFTING VIOLENTLY UP OR DOWN. FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION AND AFTER TALKING WITH ACURA WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS ALREADY ADDRESSED. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT ($2500-$3000 ESTIMATE) IMMEDIATELY TOLD CAR DEALERSHIP I WANTED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE AND GET A REFUND AND ALL I GOT FROM THEM WAS THE RUN AROUND.

103mo ago
Electrical 1

MY VEHICLE HAS A DEFECTED AIRBAG. IT HAS YET TO DEPLOY, HOWEVER I WAS INFORMED BY THE TK HOLDINGS INC. THAT THE AIRBAG ON THIS PARTICULAR MODEL IS DEFECTED.

103mo ago
Electrical 1

MY VEHICLE CONTAINS ONE OF THE DEFECTIVE TAKATA AIRBAGS, EVEN THOUGH I REALIZE IT IS NOT CURRENTLY UNDER A RECALL.

104mo ago
Electrical 1

AIR BAGS WAS NOT WORKING

104mo ago
Body 1

TAKATA RECALL: PROBLEMS OCCUR ON REGULAR ROADS, LOCAL AREAS, CITIES. THE CAR'S WINDOW, THE LEFT PASSENGER SIDE BEHIND THE DRIVER, IS FAIL. IT DOESN'T GO UP OR DOWN ANY MORE. IT BEGAN COUPLE YEARS AGO, AND WE HAD TO TO PAY FOR THE CAR REPAIR PERSON TO PULL IT UP ONLY. YET, IT IS AUTOMATICALLY PULLED DOWN AGAIN AND LEAVES A SPACE THAT CAN'T NOT PROTECT PASSENGERS INSIDE. AIR, HEAT, ANY WEATHER PROBLEM OR ANY CONSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTS INJECTING/FLOWING FREELY IN/OUT. OTHER PROBLEM IS "VSA" AND "TRIANGLE" LIGHTS ON. IT STARTED FROM LAST YEAR WHEN I HAD ITS TIRES REPLACED. MECHANICS DOUBLE CHECKED AND CONFIRMED ME THAT THIS CAR WAS TOO SENSITIVE TO DO ANY TIRE JOB. ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE TRIED TO RESET THE SENSOR SYSTEM, IT STILL HAS THE PROBLEM.

105mo ago

342 total

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